Sukna land scam: SC judge recuses himself from hearing case

A Supreme Court judge today recused himself from hearing a petition filed by retired Lt General Avadhesh Prakash, who has been facing a court martial for his alleged involvement in Sukna land scam case.

A Supreme Court judge on Monday recused himself from hearing a petition filed by retired Lt General Avadhesh Prakash, who has been facing a court martial for his alleged involvement in Sukna land scam case.

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As soon as the matter came up for hearing, Justice Dalveer Bhandari, who was heading the bench, recused himself.

Without giving any reason, Justice Bhandari refused to hear the case, saying the matter be listed before another bench and posted Prakash's petition for Thursday.

Prakash was indicted by an Army Court of Inquiry for his alleged role in issuing of No-objection Certificate to a private realtor Dilip Agarwal for building an educational institute on a 71-acre land adjacent to the Sukna military station in West Bengal.

Prakash, along with Lt Gen P K Rath, was facing a court martial in the case. Two other senior army officers Lt Gen Ramesh Halgali and Major Gen P C Sen are facing administrative action for their alleged role in the case.

The apex court had on March 16 directed the Army not to go ahead with the COI against Prakash in the Sukna land scam case till March 29.